NFL Position Rankings

Quarterback

1. Peyton Manning (Colts) - The best player in his sport is unfairly criticized for his record in big games.  Football is a sport where 40-50 guys impact the game, and though the QB is the most important of those guys, a single game's outcome is never on his shoulders alone.  Manning is the most accurate, productive, and smartest quarterback in the league.
2. Aaron Rodgers (Packers) - What he did last year behind a porous offensive line was other worldly.  He has everything one looks for in a passer: great feet, great arm, very smart, pin point accuracy, and a tremendous attitude.  His teammates love him and want to follow him.  The only thing he needs to improve is getting rid of the ball quicker.
3. Drew Brees (Saints) - Along with Manning, Brees is probably the most accurate passer in the league.  He puts up huge numbers every year and is now a Super Bowl champion.  He is a great leader, gets rid of the ball incredibly quickly, and is never hampered by his diminutive stature.
4. Tom Brady (Patriots) - It is frightening that this guy could possibly be fourth on this list, but he did struggle a bit last year.  Still, Brady is a three-time champion with ice water in his veins, has a great arm, tremendous accuracy, and is incredibly cerebral.  Yet he may be even more instinctual than he is smart, which is saying something.
5. Philip Rivers (Chargers) - He has great numbers every year and is incredibly fiery as a competitor.  Tall with a quick release, he hits his receivers in perfect stride and can carry his team to victory.

On The Rise: Matthew Stafford (Lions), Mark Sanchez (Jets), Matt Ryan (Falcons)

Running Back

1. Adrian Peterson (Vikings) - Yes, he fumbles way too much, but as a pure runner, nobody can do more.  He has the strength of a linebacker, the speed of a corner, and the agility of a kick returner.  He is a workhorse and if he corrals his fumbling problem, he can be an all-time great.
2. Chris Johnson (Titans) - Speed all day.  He put up 2,000 yards rushing last year and is also a huge threat catching the ball.  He runs tougher than you would expect for a guy known primarily as a burner.  He can stop on a dime and get to full speed quicker than anyone else.
3. Steven Jackson (Rams) - This man's production on a terrible Rams team is truly impressive.  He is a bruising back without great speed, has terrific hands, and is adept at pass blocking.
4. Ray Rice (Ravens) - This guy could top this list by the end of this year.  He is a natural born runner, has the smoothest cuts of anyone in the NFL and packs a wallop when he initiates contact.  He is also a tremendous receiver; there is nothing he can't do.
5. Frank Gore (49ers) - He may be on the way down this year, but as yet has not shown signs of decline.  He has amassed four-straight 1,000 yard rushing seasons despite facing eight- and nine-man fronts consistently playing for San francisco.  He is a natural runner with an incredibly low center of gravity and surprising speed.  He is also a great receiver.

On The Rise: Jonathan Stewart (Panthers), Rashard Mendenhall (Steelers), Jamaal Charles (Chiefs)

Wide Receiver

1. Andre Johnson (Texans) - No contest.  He is impossible to cover one-on-one and is the gold standard in the NFL.  Great size, speed, hands, and incredible production
2. Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals) - We could see his production drop this year with Kurt Warner's retirement.  He has maybe the best hands in football, amazing body control, and is a great leaper.  He does not feature amazing speed.  His specialty is catching the ball in a crowd of people.
3. Brandon Marshall (Dolphins) - He has 100 catches in three straight seasons, great size and strength, good speed, and runs very nice routes.  He is coming off hip surgery however.
4. Reggie Wayne (Colts) - Production, pure and simple, is the book on Wayne.  He is not the biggest or fastest, but he runs perfect routes, has great hands, and has a certain #18 throwing him the ball.
5. Calvin Johnson (Lions) - He is not consistent enough yet, but he is the most physically gifted player at his position in the entire league.  He is huge (6'5" and 235 pounds) and blazing fast with incredible leaping ability and soft hands.  He and Stafford have as much upside as a tandem as any two players in NFL history.

On The Rise: Michael Crabtree (49ers), Dez Bryant (Cowboys), Sidney Rice/Percy Harvin (Vikings)

Tight End

1. Dallas Clark (Colts) - This great receiving threat is just as vital as Wayne to the Colts' offense.  He has good speed for the position, great hands, and gets open better than any other tight end.
2. Vernon Davis (49ers) - It may be a bit early for this ranking given that he has only had one great season.  Still, he may be the most athletically gifted tight end the league has ever seen.  He runs like a speed receiver and and is built like a defensive end.  He is also one of the best blocking tight ends in football, though this trait often goes unnoticed.
3. Jason Witten (Cowboys) - This great blend of size and speed gets open all game and has great hands.  He is tough as nails and incredibly productive.
4. Antonio Gates (Chargers) - Not blessed with great speed, this wide body has the softest hands of any tight end in the league.  He uses his body well and is insanely productive.
5. Jermichael Finley (Packers) - This is a total projection, but he showed what he can do last year, exemplified by a 150-yard receiving performance versus Arizona in the playoffs.  He is right with Davis in terms of athleticism, yet is taller with better hands.  He is a receiver in a pass rusher's body.  He must keep his head straight and improve his blocking.

On The Rise: Brandon Pettigrew (Lions), John Carlson (Seahawks)

Offensive Tackle

1. Ryan Clady (Broncos) - With great feet, long arms, and tremendous athleticism for his size, he completely nullifies the edge rush from his side and is strong in the run game as well.  He is coming off a pectoral injury.
2. Joe Thomas (Browns) - Effort, tenacity, and brute strength: that is Joe Thomas.  He also has great feet and is very smart, is equally adept in both the pass and run blocking departments, and is by far the Browns' best player.
3. Jake Long (Dolphins) - Another young man on the list shows the NFL has a productive future at the tackle position.  Long is prototypical in every way: massive frame, good feet, immense strength, and nasty disposition.
4. Michael Oher (Ravens) - This is a projection, but he showed in his his rookie season last year that he is already a Pro Bowl-caliber tackle.  Absolutely massive with rare athleticism and elite strength, he could be the best tackle by the end of this year.
5. Michael Roos (Titans) - Quietly he does his job, which is a great thing for a left tackle.  Steady and immovable at the point of attack, he does everything well.

On The Rise: D'Brickashaw Ferguson (Jets), Jeff Otah (Panthers), Jared Gaither (Ravens)

Offensive Guard

1. Chris Snee (Giants) - He maybe had a bit of an off-year last year, but he still excelled.  He is nasty and relentless with great ability in the run and passing games.
2. Jhari Evans (Saints) - It's no wonder Brees never gets touched with this big, strong, quick, and smart blocker anchoring his offensive line.
3. Ben Grubbs (Ravens) - He is massive and makes the Ravens' offensive line go.  He is better in the run than pass, but is still very good at both.

On The Rise: Mike Iupati (49ers), Davin Joseph (Buccaneers)

Center

1. Nick Mangold (Jets) - He has great quickness and fires off the snap, is very smart, and is firm at the point of attack.  Though he is undersized, he makes up for it in tenacity.
2. Ryan Kalil (Panthers) - Flanked by tackles Otah and Jordan Gross, Kalil makes offensive lines one of the league's best.  This Mangold clone is quick, steady, and smart.
3. Jeff Saturday (Colts) - He probably gets by less on ability and more on intangibles.  He is incredibly smart and relatively quick, always reliable.

On The Rise: Jason Brown (Rams), Alex Mack (Browns)

4-3 Defensive End

1. Jared Allen (Vikings) - This incredible all-around talent plays the run very well and perhaps the league's best pass rusher.  With tremendous athleticism and relentless effort, he is incredibly productive.
2. Dwight Freeney (Colts) - This most feared edge rusher might be the fastest player in the league covering 5-10 yards.  His explosion is extraterrestrial and his hands are amazing.  His trademark spin move is devastating, and he is still disruptive against the run.
3. Mario Williams (Texans) - Anybody want Reggie Bush over this guy now?  He has great size, speed, and a developing repertoire of moves.  He can be a force against the run as well.
4. Julius Peppers (Bears) - It's all about "want to" with Peppers.  He has as much ability as anybody but often lacked desire after years of contract disputes in Carolina.  When motivated, he may be the single most dominant defensive force in the league.
5. Robert Mathis (Colts) - This other Colts end is not quite Freeney but not far off either.  With tremendous speed, he always bring top effort.

On The Rise: Calais Campbell (Cardinals), Derrick Morgan (Titans)

3 -4 Defensive End

1. Haloti Ngata (Ravens) - There is no more impressive blend of size and athleticism in the league.  At 6'4" and 340 pounds he manhandles blockers and can even be seen dropping into coverage.  He does it all and is the most important player on the always imposing Raven defense.
2. Richard Seymour (Raiders) - Plenty will tell you Seymour is on the decline, but when he is healthy, he is an absolute nightmare.  He is incredibly quick for his size and is immovable at the point of attack.
3. Justin Smith (49ers) - This is one of every offensive lineman's least favorite opponents.  With bull-like strength he holds his position against the toughest run blockers, and with a great motor he gets a lot of sacks for a 3-4 end.

On The Rise: Tyson Jackson (Chiefs)

Nose Tackle/3 Techniques

1. Albert Haynesworth (Redskins) - This combination of incredible size, strength, and miraculous athleticism can dominate every snap if he wants to.  The problem is, for Mike Shanahan, he might not want to.
2. Jay Ratliff (Cowboys) - Although he does not look like the typical, enormous nose tackle, tremendous athleticism makes him one of the best.
3. Pat Williams (Vikings) - Here is the archetypal image of a nose tackle: immense, immovable, and always occupies blockers.
4. Vince Wilfork (Patriots) - See Pat Williams, then add some athleticism.
5. Aubrayo Franklin (49ers) - Largely unknown until last year, he is humongous with a low center of gravity and is largely responsible for Patrick Willis' ability to flow freely.

On The Rise: Terrance Cody (Ravens)

Defensive Tackle/5 Techniques

1. Kevin Williams (Vikings) - He could easily play nose tackle; he can eat up two blockers and you cannot move him.  However, he is also a force rushing the passer making him the most complete defensive lineman in all of football.
2. Darnell Dockett (Cardinals) - This guy shifts seamlessly from end to tackle and back again, is hugely talented, highly motivated, and incredibly strong and athletic.
3. Tommie Harris (Bears) - It's all about health for Harris.  If he can stay on the field and he is right, he will be in the quarterback's face multiple times every game.
4. Ndamukong Suh (Lions) - That's right, I did it.  I think this guy is ready right now to be an elite player.  With great size, strength, and smarts, he reminds me of Bryant Young.
5. Broderick Bunkley (Eagles) - This relatively productive player has a load of talent although it does not always jump off the television screen.

On The Rise: Gerald McCoy/Brian Price (Buccaneers)

Outside Linebacker

1. DeMarcus Ware (Cowboys) - This absolute freak pass rusher has great hands, speed, and strength.  He can cover, but why waste his pass rushing talent?
2. Clay Matthews Jr. (Packers) - Unlike a former USC teammate, Matthews had a stellar rookie campaign without any chemical help.  He showed throughout the year that he can do everything on the football field and is just one of the guys who makes play after play.  A great career lies ahead.
3. James Harrison (Steelers) - This pure playmaker is tremendous in all phases yet especially adept at rushing the passer.
4. Elvis Dumervil (Broncos) - With seventeen sacks a year ago, this pure pass rusher terrorized offenses with his great athleticism.
5. Aaron Curry (Seahawks) - A projection, but there are no limits to this man's game.  He reminds me of Julian Peterson early in his career.  He can lock down a tight end, stuff the run, or chase down a quarterback.

On The Rise: Brian Cushing (Texans), Keith Rivers (Bengals), Brian Orakpo (Redskins)

Middle Linebacker

1. Patrick Willis (49ers) - He might be the best defensive player in football period.  He has unlimited range, great strength to shed blocks and punish ball carriers, has a nose for the football, and is a lockdown tackler.  He can even cover wide receivers on pass routes.  He has led the league in tackles two of his first three years.
2. Jon Beason (Panthers) - With great range, tackling ability, and instincts, Beason has been hugely productive in his first couple years.
3. Ray Lewis (Ravens) - Call me old fashioned, but there is still nobody more feared on a football field.  This great tackler's range is diminishing, but he is still an All-Pro.
4. DeMeco Ryans (Texans) - A great nose for the football defines this man.  Lacking great size and speed, he has incredible short-range quickness.
5. Karlos Dansby (Dolphins) - Dansby is a great athlete at the position who seems to improve every year he plays.

On The Rise: Rey Maualuga (Bengals), Jerod Mayo (Patriots), Curtis Lofton (Falcons)

Corner Back

1. Darelle Revis (Jets) - Just watch and you will see.  It is amazing he had any interceptions last year with the way teams typically avoid throwing his direction.  He absolutely eliminated Chad Ochocinco, Terrell Owens, Andre Johnson, and Randy Moss in one-on-one matchups last year.  He is strong, never out of position, has great balance, and is just plain better than anybody else.
2. Nnamdi Asomugha (Raiders) - A wonderful player with rare size and great strength for a corner is very fast and always gets good position.
3. Charles Woodson (Packers) - He hasn't slipped yet, although with his age it must be coming soon.  Incredibly smart and balanced, he has great hands and was born to make plays.
4. Terrance Newman (Cowboys) - He won't tackle anybody, but he possesses elite speed and can turn and cut with anyone he's matched up with.
5. Asante Samuel (Eagles) - He thrives in zone coverage where he can float and make plays, but is sound in man-to-man as well.

On The Rise: Leon Hall (Bengals), Mike Jenkins (Cowboys), Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Cardinals)

Safety

1. Troy Polamalu (Steelers) - When healthy, he's among the absolute best.  He tackles like a linebacker, covers like a corner, and makes every play on the field.
2. Ed Reed (Ravens) - Nobody plays the ball in the air better, and Reed is just as much the heart of his defense as Ray Lewis is.
3. Nick Collins (Packers) - This bullet does not have the softest hands but still gets plenty of picks and is a force when he hits.
4. Louis Delmas (Lions) - This guy reminds me of Bob Sanders.  Hopefully injuries do not hit Delmas like they have Sanders.  He plays the pass very well and hits a ton.
5. Dashon Goldson (49ers) - I have no idea why he didn't get talked about more last year.  This freight train hitter with great speed compiled 90+ tackles, four interceptions, three forced fumbles, and two sacks last year.

On The Rise: Earl Thomas (Seahawks), Eric Berry (Chiefs), Jairus Byrd (Bills)

--from Adam 

(Images found at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)